On 4 July 2013, the Islamic Republic of Iran became the latest addition as a PCT Contracting State. The PCT will come into force for Iran from 4 October 2013. This brings the current total of countries applicable to the PCT system to 148.
Earlier this year, Saudi Arabia also became a PCT Contracting State and will become bound on 3 August 2013.
Hopefully, we are seeing a trend in the so-called Gulf States to join the PCT system.
All full list of PCT Contracting States is available here:
http://www.wipo.int/pct/en/pct_contracting_states.html
by Simon Ellis
